Fence-post



(No Model.)

C. D. WRIGHT.

FENCE POST. Y v No. 540,708. Patented June 1.1, 1895A FIGA.

Miren STATES CHARLES DVWRIGHT, OF NILES, MICHIGAN.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 540,708, dated June 11,1 895.

I Application filed February 10, 1894. Serial No. 499,781. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Niles, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, haveinvented a new and useful Fence- Post, of which the following is aspecification. 'Ihe invention relates to improvements in fence posts. Y.Y The object of the 'present invent-ion is to simplify and improve theconstruction of fence posts, to increase their strength and durability,to enable thernto be firmly anchored in the ground, and to prevent thevibrations of a fence from breaking lthe fence wires thereof. Y i

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and pointed out in thejclaiin hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a fence-postconstructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2is a longitudinalsectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view. Fig.4 is a detail perspective view of the lower end of the fencepost beforethe application of the horizontal anchor-bars. i

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts .in all thefigures of the drawings.

l designates a fence post constructed of suitable metal, or otherdesirable material, and having its lower portion 2 split and separatedto form opposite sides. The opposite sides are provided with similarhorizontal slots 3 extending one half thedistance across the side, andadapted to receive and have interlocked with them similar slottedhorizontally disposed anchor bars or plates 4. The anchor bars, whichmay be either one or two in number, are constructed of suitablematerial, preferably metal, and their slots 5 extend onehalf theirwidth; and the parts areinterlocked while one of the parts is heated andexpanded; and after cooling the metal shrinks and securely locks theparts together. The ends of the horizontally disposed anchor barsproject beyond the sides of the lower portion of the post to formflanges, and when the lower portion of the post is anchored in theground it obtains a firm and secure hold to enable the post to withstandsuccessfully the strains incident to its use. Corner posts arepreferably constructed with two anchor bars, but intermediate fenceposts may be constructed withl but one.

In order to prevent the vibrations of a fence from breaking the wires,which often results when the latter are stapled or similarly secured,horizontal grooves 6 are provided for the reception of the wires; and atheaded bolts 7 having broad engaging faces are employed for securing thewires in the grooves. The heads of the bolts are vsubstantiallyrectangular. Their shanks extend through the post, and they are securedby nuts 8 arranged on the opposite face of the latter. The inner facesof the bolt heads are flat, and bear against the adjacent face of thepost and close the grooves, and confine the fence wires therein, theheads of the bolts being extended vertically across the grooves.

It will be seen that the post is simple and comparatively inexpensive inconstruction', that it is strong and durable, and that the horizontalanchor bars are conveniently and securely interlocked. It will also beapparent that the fence wires are clamped by broad bearing surfaces toprevent the vibrations of a fence from breaking them.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of constructionmaybe resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificingany of the advantages of this invention.

What I claim is- A fence post having its lower portion split andseparated to form opposite sides and provided with horizontal slots,combined With a horizontal anchor bar or plate provided withcorresponding slots vand interlocked with those of the post and havingits ends extended beyond the sides of the lower portion of the post toform Iianges, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereuntoaiiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. D. WRIGHT.

